500 Saturdays: Nomad Diary

 We are now living in our Gurley airbnb going on 2 weeks.  I unpacked my suitcase and settled in for a month.  I have also gone through my personal trunk clothes and keepsakes, culled some items for the thrift store, and considered my needs and wants now.  I've thought about my extreme summer clothing, and how this may be the last season that I wear some of these items and I will again downsize my waredrobe.  I'm excited that our season of travel to Europe is getting closer.   I'm relaxed in this place now that I've slept consistently in quiet and in comfort.  I'm accepting of our chosen way of living now.   We have scoped out the few restaurants in Gurley, and have plans to eat at 2 during this month.  They exist right on the highway portion of the town.  A couple with higher marks are:  El Coyote Mexican Restauran and Mr. PoBoy.  There is also a BBQ place and a Country Cooking place, both requisite to a small southe...

 Our 1st week is completed for our 4 week stay in Gurley, AL.  We came back to the area of Huntsville after being on the road for 6 weeks.  I was ready to unpack my suitcase into a closet, and I have.  It seems luxurious to shop and put groceries into our refrigerator, and buy farm eggs from the boys at church again!   Gurley is 11 miles east of Huntsville, and then add another 4 miles straight up Keel Mountain to a ridge top home on Blowing Cave Road.  We are occupying the one bedroom detached house next to the large manor house.  This house is well built and comfortable with central air and a washer and dryer.  Our favorite feature is the screened in porch with a view of the trees, mountains and sunrise. It is 10 degrees cooler here than in Huntsville, and this is a relief from the summer heat.  We enjoy eating our meals on the screened porch.  It takes me 40 minutes to drive to my office, but I am enjoying the country scenery and...

Saying goodbye is both easy and hard. My face is set toward my day and my direction.  My gratitude for the time with family and friends who are familiar and full of memories and joys. For our week in Omaha we stayed at Darrell's older brother's house.  Jeff and Gaye have hosted us many times in over 20 years. Their front steps remind me of putting our kids there and getting a group picture. Their 4 boys and our 4 along with other cousins were playmates through childhood.  Holidays were often celebrated with a trip up from Kansas City to Omaha. Gaye cooked and prepared treats and meals.  She still does. She and Jeff have an open door to many international people as he is a minister and they work to teach and help. Tony, their 31 year old was living there with them as he's in between jobs. We learned about each other's lives this week, and where we are now, and what is going on with each of our sons.  Tony sings in an annual chorus, and had a group of singers in o...

Sunday, May 30-Mon 31. Cody,  Wyoming. Staying in airbnb home on 13th street.  Love the wide streets, low traffic, wild west history.  Met friendly people at church. Ron, a member, does the chuckwagon cooking demo at the museum. Monday we walked to the museum and spent about 5 hours. Tues Jun 1: drive to Thermopolis, the largest Hot Springs in the World they say. Learned that Wyoming state parks are free. A free 20 minute plunge into two hot spring fed pools. Visited Wyoming Dinosaur Center and learned that this is a huge digging place. The displays were amazing! Dinner at the local Mex restaurant and it was better than ordinary.  Wed Jun 2: drive to Casper included a scenic byway with astounding red rock mountains and rainbow strata mountain sides; a river canyon.  Thurs Jun 3: Morning in Casper. Eggingtons restaurant about 10-20% less cost than something similar in Huntsville, Alabama. Go to hilltop overlooking the city and toured the Trails Center.  Lear...